Hep-cats: Jaguar’s new S-TYPEs are impressive
By Michael Binstock
Acorn Automotive Editor

The 2003 Jaguar S-TYPE R is arriving at dealers now

It was the pilot who drew me away from the in-flight entertainment. Did I really hear "thunderstorms and hail"? Did he really say we may not be able to land in Washington, D.C. ? Landing in Baltimore was not an option.

I was on my way to test drive the new Jaguar S-Type. An all-new supercharged 4.2-liter V8, 400 horsepower S-TYPE R ,with a brand new six-speed ZF automatic transmission, and a new five-speed manual transmission for the 3.0-liter V6 model. New for the 2003 model year, they also feature a completely redesigned interior with optional touch-screen display and an enhanced occupant safety system.

The S-TYPE was launched in 1999 and marked the beginning of a major product-led transformation for Jaguar, following its purchase by Ford.

After the launch, the company’s worldwide sales doubled in just over a year. S-TYPE sales to date have exceeded 135,000 cars.

The luxurious interior of the Jaguar S-TYPE R

"S-TYPE has been Jaguar’s fastest selling model in history and we are determined to keep buyers just as enthusiastic in the future. The changes to the latest generation of S-TYPE will continue to provide buyers with the most stylish design but enhance the driving experience through significant changes under the skin. The S-TYPE R firmly demonstrates our passion for fast, dynamic vehicles that give as much pleasure to drive as they do to own," said Mike O’Driscoll, president, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America.

We did land safely, despite the rain in D.C., and I remembered just how humid it could be. However, the Jaguars have great air-conditioning and it was needed during over 250 miles of test driving.

I suppose the first thought in driving a luxury sports sedan shouldn’t be fun, but that’s what came to mind. These cars are a hoot to drive, whether I was experiencing the manual transmission V6 or the get-up-and-go V8. With so many cars available in this category dominated by BMW, it takes a special vehicle to make me take notice. And notice was taken.

British built cars have received a bad rap in the past, but here’s a British bulldog to snap at the German and Japanese heels.

The S-TYPE R is Jaguar’s most powerful sedan yet. Its hard-charging abilities are delivered with the full complement of luxury, comfort and style that Jaguar is known for. With 400 horsepower on tap, Jaguar’s new 4.2 liter supercharged V8 engine propels the S-TYPE R from zero to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds and then on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. I experienced both on the superbly maintained Virginia roads.

What’s more, the engine’s broad torque band and the new, six-speed automatic ZF transmission ensures equally rewarding response and flexibility in everyday driving conditions.

As Phil Hodgkinson, chief program engineer explained to me, "The S-TYPE R has a dual personality, in line with Jaguar’s philosophy for our ultra high performance flagship vehicles. The new car is inherently quiet, refined and comfortable–but when stirred, it becomes a true performance machine, satisfying the demands of the driving enthusiast. Power is instantly available, without ever being intimidating or overly demanding of the driver."

To match the powerful engine and advanced transmission, the S-TYPE R is equipped with sports suspension, race-engineered Brembo brakes and the latest generation of Jaguar’s Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS), to optimize ride and handling.

The car’s luxurious, sports-style interior features leather-trimmed R performance steering wheel and sports seats, which are 16-way adjustable, with memory on the driver’s seat. The new-look S-TYPE fascia and door trims are finished in distinctive, grey birds-eye maple veneers.

My first reaction at seeing a rear spoiler was negative but it’s overcome by the handling of the car. I was assured that a great deal of thought went into whether a spoiler should be in the design of the car.

New and exclusive 18 inch "Zeus" alloy wheels, xenon headlights and a bright-finish mesh front grille with color keyed surround have been added to make the X-TYPE R look special. It also features a distinctive red R logo that will be on the nose cone of the new Jaguar R3 Formula One race car.

I purposely chose to drive the manual transmission V6 first and I was not disappointed. It’s been many years since Jaguar offered a "stick shift" in a car of this class and refinement.

I was surprised at how easy it was to drive and how well it mates to the 240 bhp 3-liter motor.

The S-Type, for the first time, offers a ZF 6HP26 six-speed automatic transmission, which delivers refined, accessible performance with seamless gearchanges. It’s standard with both supercharged and naturally aspirated V8 engines.

The six-speed automatic transmission is also available across the new S-TYPE lineup, including the AJ-V6 3.0 liter model.

With a distinctive color-keyed exterior, leather sports interior, up-rated sports suspension and brakes, the new Sport models are cars for the true driving enthusiast. The S-TYPE Sport is available with the 3.0 liter V6 engine and the 4.2 liter V8 engine. Jaguar’s unique and trademark "J-gate" gear selector system is upgraded to suit the new six-speed transmission and now features electronic control, contributing to smoother shift operation and ergonomics.

All models are fitted with an Electronic Parking Brake, which replaces the conventional handbrake lever. It’s operated by a convenient, console-mounted switch, providing both ease of use and space saving benefits. The brake is applied automatically whenever the ignition key is removed and with automatic transmission, is released whenever the gear selector is moved from the "park" position.

One of the new S-TYPE’s most innovative features is its electronically adjustable pedal system. Optional on the 3.0 liter model and standard on the 4.2 liter models, the electronically adjustable pedals are used in conjunction with the seat, steering wheel and exterior mirror adjustment, to help achieve the optimum driving position. Furthermore, pedal location can be programmed with two memorized positions for different drivers.

The new S-TYPE’s upgraded body structure, now 10 percent stiffer, delivers significant and noticeable benefits. The inside is quieter and the car feels much more stable. Overall vehicle weight is reduced by 100 pounds through increased use of lightweight materials including forged aluminum control arms, the use of magnesium for front seat frames, fascia structure and cross-car beam and the use of lightweight steel in the rear seat structure.

The car looks different. A revised grille with the Jaguar "leaper" and an integrated Jaguar "growler" emblem is the main change to the front of the car. Along the sides, a new chrome window surround, new alloy wheels and new badging contribute to the subtle exterior detail refinements. Inside the extensively revised S-TYPE interior features a new fascia with a full-width bird’s eye maple veneer panel and a redesigned center console that houses a 7-inch wide screen LCD touch-screen display as an option.

New instruments with "racing green" dials and slender pointers reinforce the car’s sporting feel, craftsmanship and quality. The seats are comfortable, with just the right degree of support, and the stereo, a 140-watt Alpine audio system, sounds great.

The S-TYPE’s comprehensive occupant safety systems now include Jaguar’s Adaptive Restraint Technology System (ARTS) first seen on the XK series sports cars, as standard. The system includes a range of sensors, which govern airbag deployment, including an ultrasonic sensor to determine the position of the front passenger. The cars include front and rear side-curtain airbags, energy-absorbent front seat backrests, incorporating an anti-whiplash mechanism, and front and rear seat belt pre-tensioners.

Multimedia systems, pioneered on the X-TYPE, are now also available on S-TYPE. The new optional LCD touch-screen display, employing thin film transistor technology (TFT), providing fingertip control of climate, audio and navigation systems, and, if fitted a portable cellular telephone. This exceptionally high level of integration is facilitated by fiber optics to provide fast, high-quality data transfer.

The JaguarVoice voice activation system, a world-first for Jaguar when launched on S-TYPE in 1999, provides voice control for primary functions of the audio, telephone and climate control systems, as well as the satellite navigation system. Maintaining Jaguar’s lead in the field of voice activation, this system is now available in French, German, Italian, Spanish and English, including North American and Australian accents.

A multi-function, satellite navigation system is available as an option. The system employs DVD technology to deliver highly accurate information, virtually instantaneously. DVD technology enables about eight times the amount of information to be stored on one disc compared to conventional CD-ROM-based systems.

Just one day in the S-TYPE didn’t seem enough so I persuaded the Jaguar people to let me take a car on a sightseeing trip around our capital. Fresh from a day’s hard driving the S-TYPE felt just as good cruising the tourist laden streets.

Jaguar of Thousand Oaks is now receiving deliveries of the range of new S-TYPES. Go take a close look because Jaguar has a winner here with a car that has the opportunity to meet and beat the German opposition.